Welcome to FamilyLocket.com! We are mother-daughter professional genealogists Nicole Dyer and Diana Elder, AG (Accredited Genealogy Professional). We are the authors of Research Like a Pro: A Genealogist's Guide, and hosts of the Research Like a Pro Genealogy Podcast. While you're here, we hope you will find helpful articles about how to research your ancestors and keep them close to the heart. Sign up for our newsletter to get our news, freebies, and new posts!

Diana and Nicole

"I have been researching my families for many years. While there is always something new to learn, this book opened up a new way to effectively and efficiently use my genealogy time. As a result of following Diana's protocol I solved a mystery that had been hidden from my family for more than 3 generations! This book belongs on the bookshelf (or e-reader) of anyone who seriously wants to get better at searching the past." - Rondie L. Yancey

"After going in the same circles, looking at the same resources and repeating the same research over and over, and then becoming frustrated because I was expecting to see something different, I realized that I had to do something to help myself. Signing up for Diana’s Research Like a Pro Study Group was the best decision that I made in 2018! Diana has a sound research process that has group members learning techniques and actively researching their ancestors in a safe and supportive environment. The course utilizes Diana’s book, Research Like a Pro, slide presentations, interactive sessions, podcasts and numerous additional resources all designed to guide and assist participants. I am so happy that I enrolled. This course has made me a better genealogist! Thank you Diana and Nicole!" - Kathy Walker

Are you ever frustrated while writing citations? Many people are! Learning about a simplified formula for citations can lift the frustration and bring calm to an important part of genealogical research. In a previous blog post, DNA Sources, Information, and Evidence: Sorting it All Out, I wrote that you are a source—you share your DNA with a testing company. The DNA testing company extracts DNA from the saliva, or the cheek swab you sent back to the testing company by mail. Your DNA goes through the process of genotyping, which identifies the genetic variants you have. Next the company compares...

Today's episode of Research Like a Pro is about how to incorporate DNA information into the timeline and analysis part of a research project. The timeline and analysis portion of the Research Like a Pro process is at the beginning. It helps you determine your starting point, because you look at all the sources you already have. After you test your DNA, you have an additional source that will help you in your family history research, that can be included in this phase. In the context of using DNA in genealogical research, you are a source that gives information –...

Do you create a plan for your DNA genealogical research? What steps can you take to focus and guide the research? I'm using the Research Like a Pro process to test my hypothesis that Benjamin Cox is the biological father of my ancestor, Rachel Cox. Because the paper trail points to Benjamin as the likely father, I'm now working with the DNA evidence to put a rubber stamp on that hypothesis. Previously I created an objective, analyzed my sources, then researched the locality. The next step in the RLP process is to form a research plan based on those previous...

What should your research plan look like if you want to test a hypothesis with DNA evidence? Each project is unique, but all can follow the same guiding principles. In the Research Like a Pro with DNA process, we have already discussed the following steps: Step 1 Take a DNA Test: Which DNA Test Should I Take? and DNA-Recommended Testing Strategy Step 2 Assess: Understanding and Using Your DNA Results – 4 Simple Steps Step 3 Organize: Seeing the Big Picture: 3 Ways to Chart Your DNA Matches Step 4 Research Objective: What Do You Want to Know? 3 Steps...

Today's episode of Research Like a Pro is an interview with Certified Genealogist® Kimball Carter. We discuss Kimballs' fourth great grandmother, Anne Carter, and the challenging research he undertook to determine her identity and relationships. Anne died in 1789 in Westmoreland County, Virginia and appears in numerous family trees and authored works as the wife of Thomas Carter. Her maiden name was given variously as Neale, Hunter, or Claytor. Kimball noticed some discrepancies in the research about Anne and spent years researching colonial Virginia records to discover the truth about her spouse and origin, finally determining that she was not...

What if you could find an automated program that would help you... - Look through your DNA matches trees to find shared ancestors - Identify triangulated groups, and - See DNA segments that you share in common with your matches Would you be interested? DNA Gedcom tools can do all of that! Rob Warthen, who founded DNAGedcom in 2013, was looking for a faster, better, more understandable way to interpret DNA test results. He and a team of super smart generous volunteers created the tools in DNAGedcom that can help all of us work with our DNA results and find...

Today's episode of Research Like a Pro is about the most efficient way to write reports. We discuss the pros and cons of writing as you research and writing at the end of your research. We discuss the process of analyzing the source and information in the records you find in your research notes and report, and when to correlate the information that you find. Listen in to find out what conclusion we came to - is it better to write as you research or write your report at the end of your research? Links RLP 9: Report Writing- Episode...

Have you ever tried to explain your pursuit of DNA matches, and found it hard put into words? Have you ever wanted to see an image of your DNA and how it connects you to your ancestors? Chromosome mapping will help you come up with an answer! The goal in using DNA in our genealogy research is to learn which segments of our DNA we inherited from specific ancestors and use them to learn more about our parents, grandparents, and so on, back in time. Autosomal DNA is an extremely powerful tool that can help us confirm known ancestors and...

Have you heard of the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) and their annual conference? The mission statement of FGS is "The Federation of Genealogical Societies empowers the genealogical and family history community, especially its societies and organizations, by advocating for the preservation and access of records, and providing resources that enable genealogical organizations to succeed in pursuing their missions." Like other family history conferences, FGS holds classes on a wide array of topics taught by professional genealogists. This year the conference is being held in Washington, D.C. I received a grant to attend the conference from the Center for Family History and Genealogy...

What is holding you back from making progress on your family history projects? Too many to count? Not knowing where to start? If just thinking about your projects sends you into panic mode, it's time for an intervention. I previously wrote about Family History & Getting Things Done, using David Allen's book, Getting Things done: the art of stress-free productivity, as a model. The ideas in the book have been a game changer for me. Sometimes a simple mind shift is all we need to move forward. What did I discover? I have a multitude of personal family history projects...

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Diana Elder, AG®, and Nicole Dyer

We are mother & daughter professional genealogists sharing ideas for finding ancestors and keeping them close to the heart. Check out our ‘how to’ articles on the blog, then check out our services page for professional research assistance. We are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Read more about us here. Thanks for visiting!